Pentyl isocyanate

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Pentyl isocyanate is an organic chemical used mainly in research. Its formula is CH3(CH2)4NCO, with a molar mass of 113.16 g/mol. It appears as a clear, colorless liquid that is flammable and toxic.

Key properties
- Boiling point: about 136–137 °C
- Density: 0.878 g/mL at 25 °C
- It is a reactive compound that should be handled with appropriate safety precautions

How it is made
- Industrially, it is made by reacting n-pentylamine with phosgene in an inert solvent to form a carbamoyl chloride intermediate.
- This intermediate is heated to 100–200 °C to convert it into pentyl isocyanate and hydrogen chloride.

Uses
- It is used in various research applications.

Safety
- Pentyl isocyanate is highly toxic and flammable, so it must be stored and handled with proper safety measures.

Related compounds
- Other isocyanates include methyl isocyanate, ethyl isocyanate, propyl isocyanate, and butyl isocyanate.